Projectile

ABSTRACT

A projectile having a continuous axial bore and a cover adapted to drop off provided at the front end of the projectile. The cover is temporarily held on the projectile so as to retain original shape thereof until firing. The front zone of the bore is followed by a zone effective as a jet and having smaller, preferably variable cross-sectional dimensions. The zone of smaller cross-sectional dimensions can pass over into a zone of relatively larger cross-sectional dimensions toward the rear of the projectiles. Spin-braking devices can be provided at the front end of the projectile for limiting the flight range of the projectile to a desired value.

1 U Rte? States ate K 1 1 3 9 Gawlick et a1. Apr. 10,- 1973 [54]PROJECTILE 636,485 11/1899 Brown. ..244 3.1 [751 Heinz Gawlick; Rudolf S1 3:85;??? 31132; 31231 37.??? 111111333355 3 both of Furth, Germany3,236,183 2/1966 Littleford. ..102/s7 3,347,491 10/1967 Pickartml..244/3.27 [73 Assgnee Dynmt Novel Trolsdorf Ger 3,345,948 10/1967Sarvis ..102/s7 many 3,485,460 12 1969 Mertens ..244 3.1 [22] Filed:Jan. 20, 1970 Primary Examiner-Robert F. Stahl 1 [211 APPl- 4,237Attorney-Craig, Stewart and Hill 52 US. Cl. ..244/3.27, 102/53, 102/87,ABSTRACT 1 102/927 A projectile having a continuous axial bore and a [51Int. C1. ..F42b 1 1/16 covet adapted to drop f provided at the from endof [58] Field of Search .102/87, 92.7, 53, the j ti] The cover istemporarily held on the .6;24 -1, projectile so as to retain originalshape thereof until firing. The front zone of the bore is followed by azone References Cited effective as a jet and having smaller, preferablyvariable crosssectional dimensions. The zone of smaller UNITED STATESPATENTS cross-sectional dimensions can pass over into a zone 2,332,98010/1943 Albree ..244/3.23 of relatively larger cross-sectionaldimensions toward 3,060,856 10/1962 Dunn 102/41 the rear of theprojectiles. Spin-braking devices can be 3,260,205 7/1966 Dietrich.'...244/3.23 provided at the front end of the projectile for limiting3,333,790 1967 Durand,

WZ'44/3-23 the flight range of the projectile to a desired value.3,498,222 3/1970 Birkigt 102/87 3,580,179 5/1971 Gawlick et a1...244/3.23

I22 Claims, l0 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 1 01973 SHEET 1 [1F 3INVENTORS HEINZ GAWLICK RUDOLF STAHLMANN ATTORNEYS PATENTED APR 1 019733 72 ,495

SHEET 3 0F 3 INVENTORS HEINZ GAWLICK RUDOLF STAHLMANN BY 4 W1, 6; 1 MATTORNEYS PROJECTILE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a projectile, and more particularly, to a projectile with acontinuous axial bore and a droppable cover or cap provided at the frontend of the projectile and held thereon by a clamping effect, wherein thecover, in particular, supplements the projectile so that it has itsoriginal shape.

As is already known, the measure of providing projectiles with acontinuous axial bore or recess is based on the purpose of reducing theflight range of the projectiles to a greater or lesser extent. By thefact that part of the propellant gases can flow off through the bore andbe unused, the energy imparted to the projectile is decreased, andcorrespondingly, the flight range of the projectile is likewise reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the aim of the present invention toprovide that a projectile is constructed so that the front zone of thebore is followed by a zone effective as a jet and having smaller,preferably variable cross-sectional dimensions. By the selection of thecross-sectional dimensions, it is possible to realize internalballistics corresponding to the respective ordnance system beingemployed so that complete functionality is ensured without changing thefirearm. The portion of the bore widened with respect to the jet portionensures that the cover, especially when the latter extends into the borewith a central, pin-type projection, is under the pressure load of thepropellant gases over a sufficiently large area and thus is detachedfrom the projectile still while the projectile is passing through thebarrel and is driven through the barrel in front of the projectile,already at a relatively low propellant gas pressure. This relatively lowpropellant gas pressure can be adjusted or set in a desired manner byappropriately selecting the conditions.

In one suitable embodiment of the invention, the zone of smallercross-sectional dimensions passes over, toward the rear into a zone oflarger cross-sectional dimensions, so that a relatively large crosssection is available for the entrance of the'propellant gases into thebore of the projectile.

Furthermore, the present invention provides that the zone of the smallercross-sectional dimensions has different cross-sectional size in thefront and rear sections thereof, wherein the change in cross-section canbe effected toward the front end or also toward the rear end, namely inthe form of a constant as well as stepped variation. In order to enhancethe flow of the intended portion of the propellant gases through thebore, the stepped transition points made of a slightly conical shape.

For the purpose of accommodating a ground impact marker charge, theprojectile is blunted or flattened at its front end in accordance withthe present invention and is provided with a more or less large numberof depressions uniformly distributed over the circumference in theregion of this flattened front end. A smokeand/or flash-generatingpyrotechnical mixture is placed into these depressions. In thisconnection, the provision can be made to seal the depressions containingthe mixture toward the outer ends thereof by means of respectively oneprimer element responsive to mechanical stress. The primer elements inaccordance with a further suggestion of the present invention can besecured against unintended ignition by means of the cover, even if theyproject, in accordance with still another suggestionof the presentinvention, beyond the front end face of the projectile.

In case the bore of the projectile has a rear portion which is widenedin cross-section, the provision can be made to fill this portion with aflare charge, leaving a central passage which is widened preferablyconically toward the rear end. This flare charge is ignited by thepropellant gases and then burns during the flight of the projectile.

In addition thereto or also in place thereof, the provision can be made,for the same purpose, of flattening the rear end of the projectile anddisposing in this flattened area a number of indentations or depressionswhich extend, uniformly distributed over the circumference, in thedirection of the axis of the projectile and which are filled with aflare composition.

In order to limit the flight range of the projectile to the desiredvalue, the present invention furthermore provides spin-braking devicesdisposed at the front end of the projectile. In this connection, it isself-evident that the number and size of the spin-brakes, preferablybeing vane-like projections, is determined so that the instability ofthe flight of the projectile occurs at a previously set distance or at acorresponding flight path of the projectile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These andfurther features, aims andadvantages of the present invention will become more apparent from thefollowing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, severalembodiments in accordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a projectile with stepwiseoffset cross-sectional dimensions of the bore or recess,

FIGS. 2a and 2b show a projectile in accordance with the presentinvention with marker charges disposed at the front end of theprojectile,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a projectile with a flarecharge provided in the rear zone of the bore,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a projectile with a markercharge arranged at the front end of the projectile and with a flarecharge disposed at the rear end,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a projectile withspin-brakes formed at the front end of the projectile,

FIG. 6a and 6b are elevational and plan views, respectively, showing thehead or tip of the projectile of FIG. 5 in a sectional view on anenlarged scale, and

FIGS. 7a and 7b are elevational and plan views, respectively, showing amodification of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring now to the drawings and,in particular, to FIG. 1, the cover or cap 2 is attached to theprojectile 1 which is flattened at the front end thereof. The cover 2extends with its central extension 3 into bore or recess 4 and isclamped with conically thickened rim 5 to shoulder 6. By means ofconical shoulder 7, the front zone 4a of the bore passes over into thezone of smaller cross-sectional dimensions denoted by 4b. In the samemanner, the zone 4a is in itself additionally offset in cross section.At the rear end of the projectile, the bore is greatly widened, i.e.,the zone 4b is followed by the zone 4c'which is formed with a largeinside cross section and has stepped recess 8. The bore 4 is closed offtoward the rear by means of readily-destructible cover 9.

At the front and rear end of the projectile l of FIG. 2, the covers 2and 9 are attached in the same manner. At the front end of theprojectile and in the depressions 11 extending in the direction of theaxis of the projectile, a marker charge 12 is disposed, and thedepressions 11 are sealed off toward the outside by means of percussionprimer caps or rim primers 13.

In this'connection, the cover 2 is shaped so that the primer cap 13 isprotected against unintended ignition,

as long as the projectile has not yet been fired. The projecting edge ofthe primer cap 13 can serve, during the flight of the projectile in thesubsonic range, as a spinbrake and can thus serve for influencing theflight range. Also, the hit accuracy can beaffected thereby.

The projectile 1 of FIG. 3 substantially corresponds to that of FIG. 1,except that the flare charge 15 is provided with the initiation charge16 pressed thereon in section 4c of the bore 4. In this design, acentral passage 14 is left which, in this case, is of a slightly conicalconfiguration.

In the projectile 1 of FIG. 4, the marker charges 12 are again providedat the front end of the projectile with primer caps 13 accommodated inspecial sealing plugs 17. Prior to firing of the projectile, the primercaps 13 are again protected from unintended ignition by means of thecover 2. The zone 4b has the effect of a jet, and the inside diameter ofzone 4b can, under certain circumstances, be reduced to 1 percent of thediameter of the projectile. The zone 4c follows toward the rear end ofthe projectile after the zone 4b and is constructed with a substantiallysmaller inside crosssectionthan in the preceding figures, so that thiszone cannot be utilized as a receptacle for a flare charge. Therefore,in contradistinction to FIG. 3, the'fl'are charge is accommodated in anumber of charges 19 disposed at the. rear, flattened end face 18 of theprojectile and uniformly distributed over the circumference.

The projectile 1 of FIG. 5 has a threadedly connected projectile tip 21with web-like projections 20 serving as a spin-brake at the front endthereof. In the projectile tip 21, the markercharge with percussionpriming 12 is disposed, for example, as a smoke commeans of the conicalshoulder 7. The greatly widened rear zone 4c with the step-like shoulder8 is closed off by means of cover 9 and contains flare charge 15 withthe initiator charge 16.

As can be seen from FIGS. 6a and 6b, the tip 21 of the projectile isprovided with three projections 20 arranged so that they are distributedat equal spacings and extend in the radial direction. Between theseprojections, likewise in a uniform distribution, respectively onedepression 11 is arranged for receiving marker charges or the like.

In contrast thereto, the differently constructed projectile tip 21 ofFIGS. 7a and 7b has only the two weblike projections 20 at the frontface thereof. These projections extend in parallel with respect to thesame axial sectional plane. Between the projections 20, the tworespective depressions 11 are formed for the accommodation of markercharges or the like.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withthe present invention, it is to be understood that the same issusceptible to numerous changes and modifications as will be apparent toa person having ordinary skill in the art, and we, therefore, do notwish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intendto cover all such changes and modifications as are encompassed by thescope of the present invention.

We claim:

1. Projectile comprising a projectile body having a front and rear endand a continuous central axial bore extending therethrough from thefront to rear end, a cover, clamping means for detachably connecting thecover to the front end of the projectile body and for releasing thecover from the projectile body during the movement of the projectilethrough the barrel of a firearm, said continuous axial bore including afirst zone in the region of the front end of the projectile body havingpredetermined cross sectional dimensions, a second zone adjoining saidfirst zone for providing a jet effect and having variable crosssectional dimensions smaller than the predetermined dimensions of saidfirst zone, and a third zone in the region of the rear end of theprojectile body and adjoining said second zone, said third zone havingcross sectional dimensions larger than said dimensions of said secondzone.

2. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein the second zone of smallercross-sectional dimensions has varying cross-sectional dimensions at thefront and rear portions thereof.

3. Projectile accordingto claim 1, wherein step-like, slightly conicallyshaped shoulder means are provided for effecting the variablecross-sectional dimensions of the second zone.

4. Projectile according to claim 3, wherein the second zone of smallercross-sectional dimensions has varying cross-sectional dimensions in thefront and rear portions thereof.

5. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein the fron end of saidprojectile body is substantially flattened and is further provided withat least one depression.

6. Projectile according to claim 5, wherein primer elementmeans areprovided responsive to mechanical stresses for sealing off said at leastone depression toward the outside.

7. Projectile according to claim 6, wherein said primer element meansprojects beyond the front face of said projectile body.

8. Projectile according to claim 5, wherein several depressions areprovided substantially uniformly distributed over the flattened frontportion and are filled with smokeand/or flash-producing pyrotechnicmixture means.

9. Projectile according to claim 8, wherein step-like, slightlyconically shaped shoulder means are provided for effecting the variablecross-sectional dimensions of the second zone.

10. Projectile according to claim 8, wherein primer element means areprovided responsive to mechanical stresses for sealing off each of saiddepressions toward the outside.

ll. Projectile according to claim 10, wherein said cover is adapted toprotect said primer element means against unintended ignition.

12. Projectile according to claim 10, wherein said primer element meansprojects beyond the front face of said projectile body.

13. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein the continuous axial boreis widened in a step-like manner at the third zone and is providedwithflare charge means in such a manner that a central passage is formedtherewith which widens approximately conically toward the rear end ofsaid projectile.

14. Projectile according to claim 13, wherein the second zone of smallercross-sectional dimensions has varying cross-sectional dimensions in thefront and rear portions thereof.

15. Projectile according to claim 14, wherein steplike, slightlyconically shaped shoulder means are provided for effecting the variablecross-sectional dimensions.

16. Projectile according to claim 15, wherein the front end of saidprojectile body is substantially flattened and is further provided withseveral depressions substantially uniformly distributed over theflattened front portion, and the several depressions being filled withsmokeand/or flash-producing pyrotechnic mixture means.

17. Projectile according to claim 16, wherein primer element means areprovided responsive to mechanical stresses for sealing off each of thedepressions toward the outside. I

18. Projectile according to claim 13, wherein the rear end of saidprojectile is substantially flattened and provided with a plurality ofdepressions uniformly distributed over the flattened rear portion, andthe depressions being filled with flare charge means.

19. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein spinbraking means areprovided at the front end face of said projectile body for limiting theflight range of said projectile to a desired value.

20. Projectile according to claim 19, wherein said spin-braking meansinclude web-like projections extending in the axial direction of saidprojectile and being substantially uniformly distributed over the frontend face.

21. Projectile according to claim 20, wherein said web-like projectionsare disposed radially with respect to the central axis of saidprojectile.

22. Projectile according to claim 20, wherein said web-like projectionsare disposed parallel with respect to a plane passing through the axisof said projectile.

1. Projectile comprising a projectile body having a front and rear endand a continuous central axial bore extending therethrough from thefront to rear end, a cover, clamping means for detachably connecting thecover to the front end of the projectile body and for releasing thecover from the projectile body during the movement of the projectilethrough the barrel of a firearm, said continuous axial bore including afirst zone in the region of the front end of the projectile body havingpredetermined cross sectional dimensions, a second zone adjoining saidfirst zone for providing a jet effect and having variable crosssectional dimensions smaller than the predetermined dimensions of saidfirst zone, and a third zone in the region of the rear end of theprojectile body and adjoining said second zone, said third zone havingcross sectional dimensions larger than said dimensions of said secondzone.
 2. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein the second zone ofsmaller cross-sectional dimensions has varying cross-sectionaldimensions at the front and rear portions thereof.
 3. Projectileaccording to claim 1, wherein step-like, slightly conically shapedshoulder means are provided for effecting the variable cross-sectionaldimensions of the second zone.
 4. Projectile according to claim 3,wherein the second zone of smaller cross-sectional dimensions hasvarying cross-sectional dimensions in the front and rear portionsthereof.
 5. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein the front end ofsaid projectile body is substantially flattened and is further providedwith at least one depression.
 6. Projectile according to claim 5,wherein primer element means are provided responsive to mechanicalstresses for sealing off said at least one depression toward theoutside.
 7. Projectile according to claim 6, wherein said primer elementmeans projects beyond the front face of said projectile body. 8.Projectile according to claim 5, wherein several depressions areprovided substantially uniformly distributed over the flattened frontportion and are filled with smoke- and/or flash-producing pyrotechnicmixture means.
 9. Projectile according to claim 8, wherein step-like,slightly conically shaped shoulder means are provided for effecting thevariable cross-sectional dimensions of the second zone.
 10. Projectileaccording to claim 8, wherein primer element means are providedresponsive to mechanical stresses for sealing off each of saiddepressions toward the outside.
 11. Projectile according to claim 10,wherein said cover is adapted to protect said primer element meansagainst unintended ignition.
 12. Projectile according to claim 10,wherein said primer element means projects beyond the front face of saidprojectile body.
 13. Projectile according to claim 1, wherein thecontinuous axial bore is widened in a step-like manner at the third zoneand is provided with flare charge means in such a manner that a centralpassage is formed therewith which widens approximately conically towardthe rear end of said projectile.
 14. Projectile according to claim 13,wherein the second zone of smaller cross-sectional dimensions hasvarying cross-sectional dimensions in the front and rear portionsthereof.
 15. Projectile according to claim 14, wherein step-like,slightly conically shaped shoulder means are provided for effecting thevariAble cross-sectional dimensions.
 16. Projectile according to claim15, wherein the front end of said projectile body is substantiallyflattened and is further provided with several depressions substantiallyuniformly distributed over the flattened front portion, and the severaldepressions being filled with smoke- and/or flash-producing pyrotechnicmixture means.
 17. Projectile according to claim 16, wherein primerelement means are provided responsive to mechanical stresses for sealingoff each of the depressions toward the outside.
 18. Projectile accordingto claim 13, wherein the rear end of said projectile is substantiallyflattened and provided with a plurality of depressions uniformlydistributed over the flattened rear portion, and the depressions beingfilled with flare charge means.
 19. Projectile according to claim 1,wherein spin-braking means are provided at the front end face of saidprojectile body for limiting the flight range of said projectile to adesired value.
 20. Projectile according to claim 19, wherein saidspin-braking means include web-like projections extending in the axialdirection of said projectile and being substantially uniformlydistributed over the front end face.
 21. Projectile according to claim20, wherein said web-like projections are disposed radially with respectto the central axis of said projectile.
 22. Projectile according toclaim 20, wherein said web-like projections are disposed parallel withrespect to a plane passing through the axis of said projectile.